PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (ranked 3438 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bekzat Sersekbayev (ranked 4675 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Gazimagomedov
vs
Sersekbayev

180 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bekzat Sersekbayev!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Jorge Garcia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sersekbayev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gazimagomedov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gazimagomedov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gazimagomedov wants it to stay on the feet.
Sersekbayev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gazimagomedov moves away.
Sersekbayev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Gazimagomedov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gazimagomedov is pushing Sersekbayev up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Gazimagomedov is working for takedown but Sersekbayev is calmly controlling the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gazimagomedov fails to pull guard.
Sersekbayev is trying to pull guard but Gazimagomedov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bekzat Sersekbayev.

Sersekbayev pulls Gazimagomedov into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gazimagomedov wants to control from the top but Sersekbayev keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov preventing the sweep.
Gazimagomedov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gazimagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sersekbayev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gazimagomedov wants to stand but Sersekbayev is controlling his posture from full guard.
Gazimagomedov stays in close to Sersekbayev's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Gazimagomedov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gazimagomedov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sersekbayev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gazimagomedov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Sersekbayev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gazimagomedov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sersekbayev sprawls well. Sersekbayev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gazimagomedov gets slowly back to his feet.
A punch combination from Gazimagomedov misses.
Gazimagomedov closes the distance but Sersekbayev moves to the side
and Sersekbayev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gazimagomedov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sersekbayev tried to score with a low kick but Gazimagomedov checks it.
Gazimagomedov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gazimagomedov but Gazimagomedov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gazimagomedov misses with a takedown attempt - Sersekbayev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sersekbayev stuffs the takedown.
Sersekbayev throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gazimagomedov.
Sersekbayev tries to close the distance and clinch but Gazimagomedov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Gazimagomedov drives through with a takedown into Sersekbayev's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Sersekbayev has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Gazimagomedov is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Sersekbayev.
Sersekbayev gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sersekbayev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gazimagomedov controlling the action here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gazimagomedov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gazimagomedov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sersekbayev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gazimagomedov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sersekbayev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown but Gazimagomedov shows good takedown defense.
Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sersekbayev looks for a takedown but Gazimagomedov sprawls well.
Gazimagomedov tries to counter by clinching up but Sersekbayev breaks away and moves out of range.
Gazimagomedov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sersekbayev can do to turn this around?
Sersekbayev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bekzat Sersekbayev.
Gazimagomedov throws a head kick that misses.
Gazimagomedov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sersekbayev defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sersekbayev dives in for a single leg takedown but Gazimagomedov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sersekbayev swats away the attempt to clinch by Gazimagomedov.
Gazimagomedov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gazimagomedov wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sersekbayev gets caught napping as Gazimagomedov dives in and scores a takedown. Sersekbayev manages to retain guard.

Sersekbayev has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Gazimagomedov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Gazimagomedov is looking to break free of the clinch but Sersekbayev has double underhooks.
Gazimagomedov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sersekbayev wants to get back to striking at distance but Gazimagomedov won't allow it.
Gazimagomedov looking for a takedown.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sersekbayev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Sersekbayev manages to break the clinch.
Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov is winning the standup battle so far.

Sersekbayev takes the fight into the clinch.
Sersekbayev has had enough of the clinch but Gazimagomedov keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev avoiding damage as Gazimagomedov throws knees to the body.
Sersekbayev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gazimagomedov after a bit of a struggle.
Gazimagomedov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gazimagomedov tries to break free but Sersekbayev pushes him back against the cage.
Gazimagomedov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gazimagomedov can't get the takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sersekbayev breaks the clinch.
Sersekbayev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gazimagomedov pinned against the cage. Gazimagomedov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sersekbayev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Gazimagomedov forces Sersekbayev back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov tries to score a body lock takedown but Sersekbayev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sersekbayev prevents the takedown attempt.

Gazimagomedov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gazimagomedov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sersekbayev!
Sersekbayev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sersekbayev tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Gazimagomedov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

Gazimagomedov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gazimagomedov is working for a guillotine from mount but Sersekbayev frees his head quite easily.
Sersekbayev working to try and regain half guard.

Gazimagomedov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sersekbayev is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Gazimagomedov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sersekbayev goes for a double leg but Gazimagomedov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gazimagomedov continues to drive forward.
Nice sprawl there from Gazimagomedov as Sersekbayev shoots in.
Sersekbayev misses with a leg kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Gazimagomedov misses its target.

Sersekbayev closes the distance and clinches.
Gazimagomedov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sersekbayev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Gazimagomedov breaks the clinch.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gazimagomedov sprawls well. Gazimagomedov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sersekbayev gets slowly back to his feet.
Gazimagomedov throws a big counter combination but Sersekbayev scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bekzat Sersekbayev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gazimagomedov tries to clinch up but Sersekbayev circles away and keeps his distance.
Sersekbayev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gazimagomedov dives in for a single leg takedown but Sersekbayev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sersekbayev dives in for a single leg takedown but Gazimagomedov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov doesn't manage to clinch there - Sersekbayev circles away.
Sersekbayev goes for a double leg but Gazimagomedov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gazimagomedov continues to drive forward.
Sersekbayev closes the distance looking to clinch

and Gazimagomedov counters with a takedown into side control.
Sersekbayev is working to avoid the ground and pound but Gazimagomedov connects with a decent elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gazimagomedov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sersekbayev has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sersekbayev is being controlled here.
Sersekbayev is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev seems a little lost for a moment, as Gazimagomedov dominates the positioning.
Gazimagomedov is working Sersekbayev over with some ground and pound from side control.
Gazimagomedov taking a breather here.
Sersekbayev struggling a bit here.
Sersekbayev being controlled for a moment.
Gazimagomedov is looking to take a break and control but Sersekbayev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Sersekbayev is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Gazimagomedov manages to get to full guard.
Gazimagomedov trying to keep a closed guard but Sersekbayev is proving a slippery customer.

Gazimagomedov looking for a guillotine here but Sersekbayev defends easily.
Sersekbayev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev trying to control the position from guard on top but Gazimagomedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gazimagomedov looking to control.

Gazimagomedov looking for a guillotine here but Sersekbayev defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gazimagomedov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sersekbayev is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Gazimagomedov.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gazimagomedov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov!